Breastmilk Lotion Recipe
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I'm often asked by mamas what can they do with their expired breastmilk because the thought of throwing it out is devastating. Well what if I told you that your milk could still benefit not just your baby, but your whole family?
Research has proven that breast milk, made into a lotion, is the latest alternative form of treatment for eczema, psoriasis, sunburns and itchy dry skin. Although the idea of rubbing breast milk on your skin may seem a bit unconventional, it is proven to be a safe and sometimes the superior treatment to other medicinal options. The antibodies found in breastmilk will help aid in the onset of infection that can be secondary to persistent scratching. Breastmilk lotion may not be for everyone, but for those who have tried everything with no avail, I hope you find some form of relief in the below recipe.
By: Brianna Moore
What you’ll need:
Microwave safe dish
3.5 oz Grape seed oil
1 tbs Beeswax
3 oz Breast milk
Essential oil of your choice (optional)
Instructions:
1.) Mix grape seed oil and beeswax within your bowl. Do not over fill the tbs with the beeswax, be very conservative. Just barely to the brim of the tbs.
Microwave the oil and beeswax together for 2 ½ minutes.
2.) In a separate cup, add 2-3 drops of your favorite essential oil to the breast milk. This is optional and simply for scent.
3.) Take the grape seed oil and beeswax out of the microwave and whisk them together. Promptly add your breast milk to the bowl, mix gently.
4.) Pour into any container that has a lid.
5.) Place in refrigerator and let set for 1 hour.
Your lotion will now be done! Leave in the fridge for freshness. Has a shelf life of 3 months!
Enjoy!
You can use expired milk for this lotion. I personally used my foremilk for this one, which is more on the watery side.
Beeswax can sometimes be difficult to find depending on where you live. I was able to find it at an all natural store called Apple Crate in North Carolina. Check local farmers markets within your area. Amazon also carries blocks of it. For this recipe, I used beeswax beads so that it would be easier to melt in the oil.
You can find the Beeswax on Amazon as well HERE...
Six Things About Breastfeeding That Sucks!
/By: Kristy Kemp
Breastfeeding is beautiful, healthy, comforting, but lets be real, there are some parts to breastfeeding that suck, no pun intended. This list should work as a great reminder to all the breastfeeding mamas, to realize how much they go through to ensure their baby gets the best nutrition possible. I have to say despite the hard parts, it's definitely worth it!
1.) Engorged Boobs.
Waking up to gigantic boobs isn't always the greatest. They are hard, sometimes sore, and the letdown is strong, so sometimes I have to hand express some milk before feeding my baby or he'd drown in my milk. It's also not fun not being able to fit in my bras and when my boobs go back to regular size, my shirts stay stretched out, not a good look. People say, "Oh, but it's like you have a free boob job flaunt those boobies!" Ummm, I'm a sleep deprived mom, with a baby attached 24/7, and oh just the little fact that they are full of milk, and they spring leaks all throughout the day, oh yeah I feel soooo sexy, give me a break!
2.) Lopsided Boobs.
Yeah talk about a confidence drainer. My left boob is a D Cup while my right is a B Cup, so not a good look. My boobs are literally winking at people, not cool man.
3.) Mastitis.
Let me just say this, I wouldn't wish Mastitis on my worst enemy! The swelling, the pain, chills, it's miserable. Mastitis is not pretty and not fun and can really bring a mama down. I contemplated giving up completely a few times because I couldn't really function as a human being, much less a mom.
4.) Leaky Boobs.
Why oh why do they gotta leak? Why can't the milk just stay contained inside my boobs? It's as if the boobs like to play a cruel sick joke to remind you that you have milk even when you're not even with your baby. Oh yeah , just a random baby crying at the grocery store and it's like Mount Saint Helen.
5.) Getting Your Nipples Bit.
Yes, every once in a while baby likes to use you as a chew toy. You don't get any warning either. It's like suck, suck, suck, CHOMP!!!! So not right. It's like he wants to make sure I'm still alive or something.
6.) Breastfeeding discrimination.
No one ever thinks that they would be harassed or asked to leave a public place because of the way they feed their child, but it happens a lot and it's so wrong on so many levels. How anyone could find anything offensive over a mom feeding her child is unthinkable! I wish I didn't even have to include this on my list , but it's a big part of breastfeeding, unfortunately, and it truly sucks.
A Testimonial To All The Pumping Mamas Out There...
/By: Amy Gorsuch
What you are doing for you baby is wonderful! Even though you cannot nurse your baby, expressed breastmilk is still the best! Devoting your time to being hooked up to a machine several times a day; pumping in your car, on your breaks at work, while you play with your baby, when you have a million chores to do. Pumping is consuming my life! Washing, washing, washing all of your pump parts, bottles, nipples, caps, rings: so much time spent at the kitchen sink! There would be so much less washing if you would just give up pumping now! Lugging all you equipment with you; pump, tubing, flanges, bottles, cooler bag, ice packs. Oh, and don't forget your keys, wallet, diaper bag, grab the baby too! The anxiety of how much milk I should be pumping, 2 oz, 8 oz, 4 oz? It will NEVER be enough! I just spent 30 minutes hooked up the a machine like a cow and all I got was 2 oz?! Are you kidding me?? My sister gets 10 oz when she pumps, what is wrong with me?! And where the hell am I going to put all this milk? Some in the fridge, rotate it to the freezer, now bring the other bags in from the deep freezer, take the other bags out. Make sure some is thawing in the fridge so your baby has some to drink the next day. Damn it, there is a bag without a date, I hope it didn't expire, it's 8 oz! That was at least an hour and a half of my life spent on pumping those 8 oz, I can't throw that away!!
I am pro-breastfeeding all the way, and I love all the support breastfeeding women are receiving, feed your baby anywhere you choose; in a restaurant, on a bus, while shopping, by all means, anywhere, you will not offend me! But, this goes out to my pumping moms who are making a real sacrifice. I WISH I could just nurse my baby anywhere, other than the health benefits of breastfeeding, the convenience of breastfeeding is the best thing about it! Nursing moms, you are so lucky, if someone stares at you in public, stare back at them and wear it like a badge of honor!
I have been exclusively pumping for 3 months now, 3 MONTHS! And if you have never exclusively pumped before, you cannot begin to imagine the time and energy invested in 3 months of pumping. Sometimes I wonder why I am still doing it, I must be crazy. Then I look at my son, my beautiful chubby-cheeked-brown-eyed son, and I quickly remember why I am making this sacrifice, all for him. I would do anything for him. Including; drifting off at my office desk while the sound of my pump soothes me to sleep, power pumping at the latest hours of the night just to get an extra ounce of milk, waking up and hour early every morning just to fit in a pumping session in before I leave for work, or pumping in the backseat of my car at almost any event I have attended over the past 3 months (wedding receptions, holiday parties, road trips). I have done it all, and frankly, I cannot believe I have made it this long.
My son always had weight gain issues. It took him 1 month to re-gain his birth weight, he had a tongue tie which was eventually snipped, acid reflux causing him to be on daily medication, and by the time he was 4 months old, his doctor diagnosed him 'failure to thrive' based on his measurements. Scariest moment ever. So at four months, formula it was, not just any formula, but the most expensive kind you can buy, Hydrolyzed formula (ouch on the bank account). But, because I have a supportive pediatrician, he encouraged me to continue pumping, feeling that eventually he could have my milk again. After several tests, which ruled out other conditions that could cause 'failure to thrive' and 2 months on formula, my baby boy was finally gaining weight, and I was still pumping. When the doctor said I could give him breastmilk again, it was finally time to give him the milk that I put so much time and effect into pumping, my hard work is paying off. While I contemplated quitting, every day I remind myself that I am making this sacrifice for him, the first of many sacrifices I will make as a mother. I have no idea how much I have pumped so far, I lost count at 2,000 oz. and I plan on pumping until I feel I am ready to stop.
I am just here to tell those pumping moms to stay with it, even when there are a million other things you would rather do with your time, it is well worth it! Sometimes with formula vs. breastfeeding battles, pumping moms are often forgotten; but now living thru it, I will always have a different kind of respect for a woman who chooses to exclusively pump for her baby. Pump on ladies, pump on!
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*Egg2Cake Newborn Feeding & Diaper Log
To The Stranger Who Didn't Criticize Me For Breastfeeding....
/By: Kristy Kemp
Dear Stranger,
I never saw you until today, but you have impacted me in such a big way. I was sort of shy when it came to feeding my baby in public places because whether true or not I felt judged and gawked at.
It's sad that when I went out in public I worried about when and where my baby will want the next feed and pray that when the time comes I could do it in peace, It's sad that I even had that worry on my mind , which pretty much consumed all of my time. I wanted to be able to enjoy myself when I was out because most of the time I'm trapped in my house. It's sad that I let it work me up because why in the world should a mom ever fear feeding her baby? That's just absurd!
It's very rare that I do myself up and since I can't leave my baby with anyone, with me he comes. So here I am all done up, trying to shop and enjoy myself, the best I can with a baby attached.
It's nice when I run into other adults and have some real conversations , with actual words and not saying things like, "I stole your nose."
When the time comes and baby needs to eat , despite my fear and shyness I always give him my teat. Most of the time, people go out of their way to look away and can you believe one time someone was walking towards me and once she saw I was breastfeeding, does a complete turnaround and walks the other way.
Do you know how terrible that made me feel? Like I have leprosy or I'm terrifying the public for simply feeding my baby a meal. One time I'm sitting at the Food Court at the mall, in the children's section trying to be courteous and be around other moms. Turns out, that was a mistake I hear several mothers telling their children, "No don't look , damn it, look the other way!" I get the hint you don't want to see , but I thought to myself, "I'm still lucky, cause at least no one has ever directly confronted me." Yeah, thought too soon because moments later , several of the parents angered, that I didn't move after their not so subtle hint and said, "Do you think it's appropriate to do that in front of our kids?" I was shocked, scared , and confused, but most of all I was angered that they treated me like me and my baby should be hidden from view or that we did not have the same rights to be there eating our food too. It's not like I want special treatment or for anyone to go out of their way , in fact, my wish is to be left alone , we're not hurting anyone, we're just trying to eat our damn lunch! I nicely replied to the outspoken angered moms with a , "Do you think it's appropriate to question a mom who is feeding her hungry baby? I would assume since you're a mom too, you would understand and that ignoring my baby's need to eat would be the most offensive thing of all." They just shrugged and walked away. Man what a damper they put on the rest of my day.
As you can see, I have very little faith in the public when it comes to me breastfeeding in peace, but then you came. Here I am a big ball of worry because I can feel my baby wanting my milk in his tummy. You must have picked up on my worry and dismay because such a beautiful smile you gave. I thought for sure once she sees that I'm going to be breastfeeding that smile will immediately turn upside down.
So here I am, being the best mother I can be, despite the fact I just know everyone is judging me. Your smile never left your face , even though I know by now you see my method of choice of how I feed my baby. This was so new to me, because all the times before, I felt judgement and criticism and jaws dropped to the floor.
When you came over and sat next to me, I thought for sure you were gonna offer me a blanket to cover, but instead you offered to buy me a cup of tea.
Tears streamed down face and I wasn't sure why, that finally a stranger shows me kindness and all I can do was cry.
You said, "Being a mom is hard and draining , let me take care of you for a second , so you can devote yourself to your baby."
I thought, "Why is she showing me this kindness? Is she an angel or is my struggles and fears written all over my face? I don't really care how, she is my saving grace."
I really didn't say much that day because I was too choked up talk, but just you being there , not judging or gawking was just enough.
So I write this letter now because I need for you to know, that
after that day, all my fears and worries of breastfeeding in public simply drifted away.
So to this stranger, who showed such kindness to me, and bought me that amazing cup of tea, you impacted my life more than you could ever know and empowered me so much so that my confidence is glowing on my face and I'm ready to pay it forward to the next scared mom that comes my way. You had to have been a breastfeeding mom at one point because it's like you knew exactly what I needed from you. Which leads me to believe, you once needed it too.
One little act of kindness, erased all of the bad, it was like you pushed a button inside of me and I need to thank you for that. I want you to know that I will never feel shame, fear, or worry when it comes to breastfeeding my baby. It's something I wish I had all along, but on the other hand I think it has made me a better mom.
So to this stranger who did not criticize me, whether you meant to or not you changed everything. I'm empowered, I'm loved, I show that love to anyone who needs a cup of tea or just needs to talk.
Signed,
Newly Empowered Breastfeeding Mom
